One of the best things about Pope's first team, at least from my perspective, is that I came into this season with zero expectations whatsoever. I just wanted to cover a team that played hard, played a smart/fun style, and represented the name across the front of the jersey first and foremost. They've accomplished all those things AND defeated Duke, Gonzaga, Louisville, and Tennessee (2x) along the way. IMO, anything else that happens this season is gravy, especially the way they're being held together with Robitussin and duct tape.
Where are you guys with this? Have they done enough to make you feel good about Year 1 regardless of what happens the next 5-6 weeks? Some of my friends are torn on the issue. Quite a few are with me, while others say they need to make a good showing in Nashville and maybe even get past that first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in order to be happy. (I am with them on needing to win the first-round game, but I'm not sure you can set the bar at first weekend.) If you're a 4 or 5 seed (seems most likely one of those at this point) you're looking at a potentially challenging opener against a 12 or 13, then probably playing a 4 or 5 like yourself.
For comparison's sake, here's what the 4s saw last year...
Auburn (4) lost to Yale in first round
Alabama (4) had competitive games with Charleston and Grand Canyon before getting on that run to the Final Four
Duke (4) beat Vermont and James Madison handily, eventually lost to 11 seed NC State
Kansas (4) edged Samford and got smashed by Gonzaga in the second round
Two of last year's 5 seeds lost in the opening round, meaning three of the eight 4s/5s lost, and five of the eight had competitive games.
If you navigate the first round -- remember, something that Pope has yet to do -- the second round is almost guaranteed to be a hard game. Anything can happen in that. Do the Cats have to win that for you to be happy about Year 1? Where is the bar set in your mind as of today?
Where are you guys with this? Have they done enough to make you feel good about Year 1 regardless of what happens the next 5-6 weeks? Some of my friends are torn on the issue. Quite a few are with me, while others say they need to make a good showing in Nashville and maybe even get past that first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in order to be happy. (I am with them on needing to win the first-round game, but I'm not sure you can set the bar at first weekend.) If you're a 4 or 5 seed (seems most likely one of those at this point) you're looking at a potentially challenging opener against a 12 or 13, then probably playing a 4 or 5 like yourself.
For comparison's sake, here's what the 4s saw last year...
Auburn (4) lost to Yale in first round
Alabama (4) had competitive games with Charleston and Grand Canyon before getting on that run to the Final Four
Duke (4) beat Vermont and James Madison handily, eventually lost to 11 seed NC State
Kansas (4) edged Samford and got smashed by Gonzaga in the second round
Two of last year's 5 seeds lost in the opening round, meaning three of the eight 4s/5s lost, and five of the eight had competitive games.
If you navigate the first round -- remember, something that Pope has yet to do -- the second round is almost guaranteed to be a hard game. Anything can happen in that. Do the Cats have to win that for you to be happy about Year 1? Where is the bar set in your mind as of today?
